Charlotte

[shinta|hikari]

It's called time, and that's why Tomori was successful. She waited for Yuu to get some distance from Ayumi's death, all the while making sure he doesn't kill or ruin himself completely (the drug kicking scene established this).

Yuu isn't dumb. He knows what he is doing is wrong and that he is running away. He just didn't have the leeway to stop by himself earlier. Knowing that someone was willing to sacrifice/do so much for him (established by his imagined flashback of Tomori always being around) gave him a shock, enough to knock some sense back into him. Then all it took was Tomori baiting him with the promise of leaving him alone and poisoning him with sweet sauce.

It's quite common for those in a downward spiral to hit rock bottom before climbing back up. That's what happened here.

I'm not even speaking hypothetically. I can empathize really well with Yuu because of firsthand experience.

EDIT: To put things into perspective, Tomori took a leave of absence from school and consequently stopped looking for power-users (which was practically her raison detre) while she was silently watching Yuu. Ex-GF went on one visit, got turned away, and never came back. Glasses and idol visited as far as his door a couple of times, and that's all they did. Tomori put everything on hold to watch over him, and in the end actually did stop him from ruining himself with drugs.

Having experienced a similar loss, she knew half-baked words and charity visits won't help. She knew what to do based on experience. Her tolerance for violence and danger was a bit extreme, but that's always been part of her personality.

[KrayZ33]

Just to make this clear, I don't have a problem with what Tomori did, but with how the anime portrayed Yuu and how easily he got swayed, because people that are *that* far down, need more than a kick in the butt and it takes time until they realise that someone is truly there for them.

But it's pretty fitting for this show if we consider how quickly he is able to change his personality. It's just not even close to how a real person would react. But it's not the first time either, I can't even describe how it feels like watching him in this show so far. It's like he suffers from schizophrenia.

[shinta|hikari]

Tomori's actions were extreme enough (and in reality took a really long time) to warrant his change. It just seemed condensed because Yuu realized everything she did in one single revelation.

If he started complaining and kept running away after hearing all that, people would take the opposite stance and say he is an asshole and that his reaction is unbelievable. And if Tomori's intervention really did fail, what in the world could reach such a broken Yuu? The story would end right there.

And to expound on why Yuu decided to rejoin the student council, it isn't because of Tomori. She did indeed invite him, but his main reason is Ayumi, who died because her powers went out of control. The reason he stopped running away was also Ayumi. Tomori only reminded him of what his sister cared about, which was himself. Throwing himself away is desecrating a large chunk of what Ayumi lived for.

In short, it wasn't just Tomori but Ayumi's presence inside Yuu that allowed him to recover. Tomori smartly made use of that.

[KrayZ33]

If he started complaining and kept running away after hearing all that, people would take the opposite stance and say he is an asshole and that his reaction is unbelievable. And if Tomori's intervention really did fail, what in the world could reach such a broken Yuu? The story would end right there

That's the writer's fault for getting his character in such a huge mess, I can't have my character turn into a maniac over quite some plot duration to just have him turn back to normal in less than 3 minutes. Tbh, there was no need for a full recover from that alone, why not test her further if she stays true to her word?

And whether he is an asshole or not is not even clear to me if we consider how he used his power, remember how he "saved" the girl back in ep 1?

[shinta|hikari]

That's the writer's fault for getting his character in such a huge mess, I can't have my character turn into a maniac over quite some plot duration to just have him turn back to normal in less than 3 minutes.

Did you read the rest of my post? It's Ayumi's presence that changed him back, and it was the cause of his breakdown in the first place. It's believable.

And he didn't turn to normal in an instant. His entire delinquent period is part of his recovery. Time heals all wounds. His just festered in a different way, but it was definitely not as fresh as it had been before. Do you think anything Tomori did would have an effect if it was revealed a week after Ayumi died? No.

And whether he is an asshole or not is not even clear to me if we consider how he used his power, remember how he "saved" the girl back in ep 1?

He isn't just an asshole. He is also a violent amoral person. But he's also smart, obvious when he actually decides to do something. Making him an emo dude for more than one episode on top of rejecting someone who has done so much for him makes him completely dumb and worthless.

[KrayZ33]

It's Ayumi's presence that changed him back, and it was the cause of his breakdown in the first place. It's believable.

And you expect me to just dig that? "Muh, taste like my mom/sister used to make them. If I've had known earlier that someone else could cook it, I'd never have done that" That's what his "redemption story" looked like.

And he didn't turn to normal in an instant. His entire delinquent period is part of his recovery. Time heals all wounds.

looked like the total opposite to me, he went deeper and deeper into it.

He isn't just an asshole. He is also a violent amoral person. But making being an emo dude for more than one episode on top of rejecting someone who has done so much for him makes him worthless.

Why make him emo dude in the first place? If I can't get the setting right, I wouldn't use that.

Sorry, you won't get me away from my standpoint with that. It's bad writing, really bad writing.
The whole *story*, not just this scene, the whole plot at this point in time, makes close to zero sense right now. I'm watching this because I want to know whether this show will reveal something that starts to link up the stuff that is happening.

[shinta|hikari]

And you expect me to just dig that? "Muh, taste like my mom/sister used to make them. If I've had known earlier that someone else could cook it, I'd never have done that" That's what his "redemption story" looked like.

That isn't what happened. I already explained what did, but you seem to be ignoring or reinterpreting everything I say in a different way. The food (based off his mom's recipe) reminded Yuu of how much his sister cared for him, and he realized he had to stop destroying himself. How hard is that to get?

Why make him emo dude in the first place?

Because his one and only relative died in a tragic accident..?

Sorry, you won't get me away from my standpoint with that. It's bad writing, really bad writing.

Now you're just being stubborn. Blaming something on general "bad writing" when I, who watched the same thing, am actually explaining away your complaints is just irresponsible. Bad writing is different from you not liking what you saw.

[KrayZ33]

That isn't what happened. I already explained what did, but you seem to be ignoring or reinterpreting everything I say in a different way. The food (based off his mom's recipe) reminded Yuu of how much his sister cared for him, and he realized he had to stop destroying himself. How hard is that to get?

I don't know how to tell you that it doesn't work that fast. You don't even realize that you need to get out of it that quickly. But that personality change-theme seems to be pretty common in this show, I'll give you that

Because his one and only relative died in a tragic accident..?

that's exactly what didn't need to happen. What exactly was this event even trying to do?
This show is/was all over the place already with plot-strings hanging there and not being touched for like half the series. Does Yuu really need a setback into his "dishonest" behavior when he was barely even in there and called out of it in an instant? (ep-1/2)
Why now and not later when you actually get to know the characters a bit better.

Bad writing is different from you not liking what you saw.

It's also not-not bad writing if just you happen to like it, for whatever reason *shrug*
And the reasons you gave me didn't convince me in the slightest, what can I say.

[shinta|hikari]

I don't know how to tell you that it doesn't work that fast. You don't even realize it that quickly.

How do you even know this? I have experience the other way around. Does that mean I don't exist?

that's exactly what didn't need to happen.

Which is you wanting to dictate the plot according to your preference.

It's also not-not bad writing if just you happen to like it, for whatever reason *shrug*

Uh, nice comeback? It didn't mean anything though. I see things I don't like in what I watch all the time. I don't call them bad writing. I only call bad writing when I can clearly see the technical issues in the text/story, not because I disagree with the direction or resolution.

And the reasons you gave me didn't convince me in the slightest.

Because convincing people who aren't willing to be convinced from the start is impossible. That's what makes you different from Yuu.

[Kraco]

Like I said earlier, much depends on the next episode. Even Shinta admitted Tomori is a cold person, so can she follow up from now on? Does she even have in emotional wisdom what it takes, even thought she could pull it off now with the food and a few smart words? Saying that it was due to Ayumi is nonsense, though. She's dead, she can't help anyone. Saying that actually means it was Yuu himself who saved himself. A person degenerating into enjoying beating people and deciding to start using drugs without a moment of hesitation isn't going to save himself suddenly. Realistically speaking I'd say he'll fall again very soon, unless Tomori is there to keep him floating.

What comes to his basic personality and his past, it's easy to see it was quite empty. He avoided all effort with his power and tried to use his power to cheat himself a good woman. Ayumi was more or less the only genuine thing in his life, and kind of fortunately it wasn't perfect with the gross food, making it even more genuine. He doesn't have anything at all in his life at the moment, because he never did before aside from Ayumi. So, saying Ayumi is what saved him is only making it worse. Tomori better keep him an exceedingly busy tool, or he will fall into depression again and fast.

That is, if this story has any such sense at all that I can understand it.

[KrayZ33]

How do you even know this? I have experience the other way around. Does that mean I don't exist?

Every book written by a depressive person ever?
Also personal experience with an alcohol addict in the family and I'm-pretty-sure-soon-to-be-depressive friend

Which is you wanting to dictate the plot according to your preference.

Yea, well what to say about that? You can't go from 0 to climax in less than a minute and back to normal in the next one.
That's what happened here basically. For no particular reason.

I only call bad writing when I can clearly see the technical issues in the text/story, not because I disagree with the direction or resolution.

but you obviously can't see them, lol.

Because convincing people who aren't willing to be convinced from the start is impossible. That's what makes you different from Yuu.

That should make me just like Yuu, because he didn't want to be convinced either, see: friends visiting him and ex-gf coming into his room. But deep down, he always wanted to be conviced am I right? Unlike me that is.. of course..

[shinta|hikari]

Saying that it was due to Ayumi is nonsense, though. She's dead, she can't help anyone. Saying that actually means it was Yuu himself who saved himself.

This is actually what happened. I phrased it that way to show the extent of Ayumi's existence in his heart. People in that state can only save themselves, with some help from others.

Realistically speaking I'd say he'll fall again very soon, unless Tomori is there to keep him floating.

I disagree. I think the epiphany he gained from this episode should harden his resolve in the student council work. He'll be preventing cases of Ayumi and his own depression from happening, after all. He was pretty half-assed about it before, but now that he has experienced it personally, he should be more dedicated to the work.

@Krayz - Let's just agree to disagree. Sorry if you were writing up a response but I take everything back.

[KrayZ33]

A lot of stuff happened in that episode. I can see you're having trouble with the density. Would you have preferred it if they spent 3 episodes on it?

To be honest: Yes... I can't get much sense into it with just 1 epsiode about it. That scenario should've been much bigger.
Right now, it feels like the author just threw this in.
I can't see why he'd place this scene here and now (for what reason?) and how it could possibly fit in the story so far.

Just like we had episodes about their "super power of the week" it feels as if we have "depression and sad events of the week" now.
Tomori's scene with her brother seemed as if they only used it to explain why people with powers should join that "school" (which is a mystery in it's own way) and I wouldn't be too suprised to see Yuu lining up behind her saying "Ya right! and don't forget what happened to my sister, damn right! I see you have a family..join us man" whenever they try to convince someone with super powers.

Why did they end it the same episode it started? It'll really feel like a (and ended up like that for me and it seems for others too) "X of the week event", especially if the next episode fails to deliver consequences, but at least that's not certain.

[Kraco]

I disagree. I think the epiphany he gained from this episode should harden his resolve in the student council work. He'll be preventing cases of Ayumi and his own depression from happening, after all. He was pretty half-assed about it before, but now that he has experienced it personally, he should be more dedicated to the work.

I tried to make a point of it in my previous post, but this is a dude who never (or at least during the most recent years) put any effort into anything in his life, I'd bet, because he could pull it off by cheating and actually enjoyed and was proud of doing it that way. The fact you say he was half-assed about helping with the student council only reinforces that notion. By his own confession we also now know he thinks he didn't actually do anything concrete for Ayumi either, which probably is close to true. This is then a man who now will dedicate himself, alone if needed, selflessly to a greater cause he knows very little about? I find that hard to believe. Which is why I said Tomori needs to hold his hand from now on, or he'll be back to not caring and then worse.

I don't see how he could have the mental fortitude to keep going on his own, apart from the beginning phase. If he had, I imagine he would have done what many do and on the surface just kept going as always after Ayumi's death. You know, drown himself in (school-)work so that he would have no time for sadness and depression. We already saw he breaks instantly and then only slides ever deeper until someone stops him forcefully enough. That's the kind of guy he is. The dead can't help him.

[shinta|hikari]

@Krayz - I think the simple answer to that is they avoided dragging out a depressing scenario too long because that puts off a lot of people. Another would be budget.

The esper of the week and this turning point were all done to build the characters. This tragedy was necessary for Yuu to change his half-assed and jerkass ways. Now, we just have to see how the show will use them.

I tried to make a point of it in my previous post, but this is a dude who never (or at least during the most recent years) put any effort into anything in his life, I'd bet, because he could pull it off by cheating and actually enjoyed and was proud of doing it that way.

The funny thing is, the amount of effort he put into mastering his cheating ways could've been spent actually studying. He isn't dumb by any means, but he seems to have put in effort in the wrong places because those yielded better results.

He has always had the tools in his disposal. He just never had the reason to dedicate himself towards anything worthwhile. Now he does. Major life events can change people, like how some become doctors after seeing a loved one die of illness.

[KrayZ33]

This tragedy was necessary for Yuu to change his half-assed and jerkass ways. Now, we just have to see how the show will use them.

That on the other hand however was actually seeing progress during the last few episodes. The bassball match showed us in a rather obvious manner, which I didn't like to tell the truth, that he is about to recieve happiness from working hard and honest.
To accelerate it further with a "stylistic device" if we want to call it that seemed unnecessary in my opinion.
You could even say that he was already close to the goal if you consider that he lost his "cheating moves" and way of thinking as soon as he joined the council. He always seemed rather submissive and I'd have liked to see him complain alot more about the stuff they made him do, or even do something against it.

[Buffalobiian]

I reckon their lost "brother" could be the esper-finding Esper.

[Kraco]

Episode 8 - HS




- - - - - -



My download from a bot terminated in the middle and I had to continue from another bot. I wonder if it was due to the first part being some troll sub submitted under HS's name, the subs sucked so remarkably. Missing lines and Yukarin's song was especially lousily subbed (not that the lyrics would have been great anyway). I didn't spot anything so off after that, indicating that was where the break occurred. Still, this show is so inferior in general that it's all the same in the bigger picture.

At least they didn't completely forget poor Ayumi's demise in the episode. Sala (who apparently read an elder scroll to learn to sing and play guitar, and naturally lost her eyesight as a result) seemed to sense much sadness in Yuu, but I think he was coping a little too well considering he was just a day (?) before a total wreck beating people for fun and attempting to become a junkie. Goes without saying that a dude who had lost his only family member, a little sister to boot, must have an apology as his first words in Japan when he returns to school. He caused so much trouble for his classmates by having his sister die without a warning. Such insolence!

Tomori still annoys me to end. Actually she has the kind of personality Yuu should have. That would feel more plausible than his current sorry I exist behavior pattern, which is based on absolutely nothing considering how he was before Tomori destroyed his old life and consequently caused Ayumi's death by her choices. Yuu should make Tomori pay for all of that instead of allowing her to boss him around and mock him. Too bad the shitty writing turned him 100% beta (apart from his jolly fallen phase in the previous ep).

[NeoCybercoin]

Man, fuck this show.

[shinta|hikari]

Tomori <3.

I think I empathized too much with Yuu that I actually fell in love with her.